"It would be difficult to think of a major jazz pianist emerging after 1960 who did not take Bill Evans as a model," says jazz journalist Doug Ramsey, who wrote the liner notes for this 25-song collection encompassing the years 1950 through 1977. "Indeed, many seasoned pianists who preceded Evans altered their styles after hearing him…. He is so much a part of the jazz atmosphere that many musicians … who came of age in the 21st century are not conscious that his concepts helped form them." With two discs of highlights from an unparalleled career, this set includes the exquisite "A Child Is Born" by Thad Jones, "I Will Say Goodbye" by Michel Legrand, "Young and Foolish" with a vocal by Tony Bennett, and Evans's own "Turn Out the Stars," "Waltz for Debby," and "Re: Person I Know" from Live at the Village Vanguard, as well as "Speak Low," "Blue in Green," "Autumn Leaves," "The Touch of Your Lips," and much more.

"He had a profound impact on those who followed him, not only with his radiant open harmonies and Utopian ideal of an interactive trio, but also his determination to get at the most personal truths in his playing."—Chicago Sun-Times